Ella Beth (Kauffman) Male, 86, a resident of Cambrian Memory Care in Tecumseh, Mich., completed her earthly journey and stepped into eternity with her Savior on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Hospice of Lenawee County, Adrian, Michigan.
Ella was born on September 18, 1930, in Versailles, Mo., to John Samuel Kauffman and Lovina Rachel (Garber) Kauffman. She married Ernest William Male on September 3, 1950, in Mendon, Mich. He preceded her in death on January 5, 2017.
Ella was a resident of Kosciusko County, Ind., from 1959 until her recent move to Tecumseh, Mich. She was an active member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church and Warsaw Community Grace Brethren Church for many years. In addition to her full-time job of mother, wife, and homemaker, Ella also worked at the Free Methodist Headquarters and Grace Brethren Foreign Missions office in Winona Lake, Ind.
Ella was married to the love of her life, Bill, for 66 years and was an integral part of his work as a college and seminary teacher and administrator at the main campus of Grace College and Theological Seminary and at the extension campus that Bill helped start in California. Ella also enjoyed traveling with Bill to many places in the world. Through the years, her other interests included bird-watching, music, and collecting a large number of grandchildren. She traveled to be with her daughters for the birth of each of her 17 grandchildren, with the exception of one who was born in Africa.
Ella is survived by her four daughters: Martha (husband Jim) Hines (Saginaw, Mich.); Mary (husband Dave) Smith (Allison, Iowa); Ruth (husband Bob) Markham (Oregonia, Ohio); and Becky (husband Jim) Colman (Adrian, Mich.). She is also survived by a sister, Ann Neuenschwander, 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers, and her son-in-law, Roy Leon Lowrie.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 16 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.
The memorial service celebrating Ella’s life will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home immediately following the visitation. The service will be officiated by Dr. James Colman. Interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.